Advanced Sol-Gel Biomaterials: Design, Properties and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Sol–gel-based materials are emerging as promising technology for various fields, mostly due to its design simplicity and chemical versatility. Mostly used for coatings, sol–gel networks can be altered to possess distinct and controllable physical and chemical characteristics with respect to, e.g., topography, surface chemistry, hydrophilicity, porosity, thermal/electrical conductivity, optical performance, and chemical/mechanical degradability. One of the key aspects of these materials is the usage of low temperature on the wet-chemical process for sol–gel syntheses. Due to this factor, greater stability, homogeneity, and purity of the produced ceramics and bio-glasses is achieved compared to using conventional routes that require the use of high-temperature processes. Moreover, sol–gel allows the synthesis of new compositions that are not possible when using melting/quenching techniques, namely when spinodal decomposition occurs.

This versatile nature at low temperatures allows the incorporation of, for example, organic compounds that endow the sol–gel network with bioactive characteristics, which is well appreciated in the biomedical field and already producing positive outcomes. Moreover, its natural optical attributes render additional industrial interest for biosensing and optical and electronic applications, which is important in this day and age.

Therefore, we would like to invite you to submit full papers, communications, and reviews to this Special Issue.

Dr. N.M. Araújo-Gomes
Dr. M. Clara Gonçalves
Dr. Andreia Cerqueira
Guest Editors

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